Govt apathetic to farmers, busy transferring officers

Mumbai: Leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde today accused the BJP-led state government of ignoring the plight of the farmers and focusing only on shunting out the bureaucrats who do not get along with ministers.

Addressing a press conference here, the NCP leader said in the last six months 143 IAS officers had been transferred.

“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, as an opposition MLA, had demanded CID inquiry against Parambir Singh. But after becoming the CM, Fadnavis appointed Singh as Thane police commissioner,” Munde said.

The environment department got four secretaries in the last six months while Mumbai municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte who was transferred as the principal secretary environment only last month was shifted to planning department recently, he said.

Satish Gavai, principal secretary, housing, was shunted out to water resources because he had differences with the minister (Prakash Mehta of BJP) over the proposed housing policy, he alleged.

“Mahesh Zagade was transport commissioner for a short while and took steps to curb corruption in the department. There was pressure to shift him from different quarters. If Fadnavis says Zagade himself had requested transfer to Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority, his written request should be made public,” he demanded.

Munde also lashed out at the government for not disbursing Rs 1,600 crore under the crop insurance scheme to farmers.

“Even though the government has now made provision for Rs 700 crore, the Centre’s share is still awaited,” he said.